The inspiration for this project struck during a recent closet clean-out. I was faced with the perennial dilemma of how to store my cherished collection of summer hats, protecting them from dust and damage during the off-season. My search for an ideal container led me to an old hatbox – functional, yes, but undeniably beaten up and far from attractive. My initial thought was to cover it with leftover wallpaper, a common DIY fix. However, a better, more creative idea quickly emerged: why not create a truly bespoke, “designer hatbox” using the very same colorful shopping bags I meticulously save to reuse?

I found myself with an abundant collection of these stylish bags, each one a memento from a favorite shopping trip. It was clear they deserved a more prominent role than just carrying groceries or sitting in a drawer. Repurposing some of them to revitalize the exterior of my neglected hatbox felt like the perfect solution. This isn’t the first time I’ve turned to these versatile bags for creative projects; you might recall a similar endeavor when I transformed them into striking subway-style art. The iconic department store and designer logos emblazoned on most of these bags make them absolutely ideal for creating upscale closet storage that looks anything but homemade. With a renewed sense of purpose, I gathered a selection of my favorite bags and eagerly began this exciting transformation.

Why Repurpose Shopping Bags for Closet Storage?

Beyond the simple joy of a DIY project, repurposing shopping bags for storage offers a multitude of benefits:

• Budget-Friendly: Why spend a fortune on decorative storage boxes when you can create stunning ones for next to nothing? This project uses materials you likely already have, making it incredibly economical.
• Eco-Conscious: Giving new life to shopping bags is a fantastic way to practice sustainability and reduce waste. It’s a small step towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
• Personalized Style: Your storage boxes will be truly unique, reflecting your personal taste and favorite brands. You can mix and match logos, colors, and patterns to create a cohesive look that perfectly complements your closet’s aesthetic.
• Elevated Aesthetics: Transform plain, drab boxes into stylish, eye-catching accents. The vibrant designs and recognizable logos from high-end stores instantly elevate the look of any storage container.
• Functional and Decorative: Not only will these boxes help organize your belongings, but they’ll also serve as decorative elements, turning your closet into a more curated and enjoyable space.
• Versatile Application: While this guide focuses on hatboxes, the technique can be applied to virtually any cardboard box – shoe boxes, basic storage boxes, or even old drawers – to create a unified and fashionable storage system.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Cover a Hatbox Using Shopping Bags

This project is surprisingly simple, requiring minimal crafting experience but promising maximum visual impact. Follow these steps to create your own personalized, designer-inspired storage boxes.

Supplies Needed:

• Storage Box: An old hatbox, shoe box, or any sturdy cardboard box you wish to transform.
• Shopping Bags: A selection of colorful, branded bags from your favorite stores. Choose bags with interesting logos, patterns, or textures.
• Scissors or a Paper Cutter: For precise, clean cuts. A paper cutter is especially useful for straight lines.
• Decoupage Medium: Such as Mod Podge. A matte finish is often preferred for a sophisticated look, but gloss can add a vibrant sheen.
• Paint Brush: A medium-sized flat brush works best for applying the decoupage medium evenly.
• Optional: Gift Wrap and Spray Adhesive: For covering larger areas like the top and bottom of the box, or for adding complementary patterns.

1. Gather Your Shopping Bags: Begin by collecting a variety of shopping bags. Consider the overall color scheme and how different logos or patterns will interact. Some bags might be perfect for their bold branding, while others offer interesting textures or solid colors that can serve as fillers. Lay them out to visualize potential combinations.

2. Prepare Your Design Elements: Carefully cut out the desired sections from your shopping bags. This primarily includes the logo sections, but don’t hesitate to incorporate interesting patterns, borders, or solid colored panels. Using a paper cutter will ensure crisp, straight edges, which can make for a more polished final product. If using scissors, take your time to cut precisely. Consider varying the sizes and shapes of your cutouts to create visual interest.

3. Decoupage Application – Placement and Sealing: Before permanently attaching anything, experiment with the placement of each logo and design cutout on your box. Once you’re satisfied with your arrangement, it’s time to apply the decoupage medium. For each piece, brush a thin, even layer of decoupage medium (like Mod Podge) onto the back of the paper cutout and also directly onto the corresponding section of the box. This double application helps create a strong bond and prevents air bubbles.

Carefully press the paper cutout onto the box, aligning it precisely. Once in place, gently brush another layer of decoupage medium over the entire surface of the paper, extending slightly beyond its edges. This seals the paper, protects it, and gives it a unified finish. If wrinkles appear, gently smooth them out with your brush or fingers. Don’t worry if small wrinkles persist; they often lessen or disappear entirely as the decoupage medium dries and tightens.

4. Finishing the Top Edge of the Box: When applying logos or paper along the top edge of your hatbox (or any box with an open top), position each piece so that there’s enough excess paper to wrap over the edge. Once the piece is adhered, use scissors to cut small, vertical slits into the excess paper, creating a series of tabs. These tabs allow the paper to curve smoothly around the edge. Apply more decoupage medium to the tabs and fold them neatly over the top edge and onto the inside of the box, securing them firmly.

5. Achieving a Seamless Edge: The result of step 4 should be a clean, finished edge that seamlessly transitions the paper from the exterior to the interior of the box, hiding any raw cardboard edges. This attention to detail elevates the overall professional look of your DIY storage solution.

6. Decorating the Lid (Optional but Recommended): Once the sides of your hatbox are fully covered and the decoupage medium is dry to the touch, turn your attention to the lid. I found that a striking black and white stripe section from the side of a Sephora bag made for an excellent contrasting element around the sides of the lid. Cut the paper with enough excess to create tabs on both the top and bottom edges. Adhere it to the lid, wrapping the tabs around the bottom edge and pressing the other side onto the top surface of the lid, creating a neat, finished look.

7. Covering the Top and Bottom: For the main surfaces of the top and bottom of the box, you have several options. You can continue with more logos and decoupaged sections for a truly patchwork effect. Alternatively, for a cleaner or contrasting look, you can cover these areas with a single piece of gift wrap or a solid-colored paper. To do this, place the chosen paper face down and carefully trace around the box (or lid) to get the correct circular or square shape. Cut it out precisely. For a smooth application on larger surfaces, spray adhesive works wonderfully. Apply an even layer of spray glue to the box surface, then carefully center and adhere the cut paper. Smooth out any bubbles and let it dry completely. This creates a polished finish that ties the whole design together.

More Decoupage Ideas You May Like

• DIY Map Wallpaper in a Laundry Room
• Map Covered Shelf Organizing Boxes
• French Script Ornaments